A daily series, Connect! Unite! Act! seeks to create face-to-face networks in each congressional district. Groups regularly socialize but also get out the vote, support candidates and engage in other local political actions that help our progressive movement grow and exert influence on the powers-that-be. Visit us every morning at 7:30 A.M. Pacific Time to see how you can get involved. The comment thread is fun and light-hearted, but we're serious about moving the progressive political agenda forward.
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Do You Like Knives ?
I do. I like knives. No, I love knives, especially well-made, quality knives. Please, don't think I'm some sort of blood-thirsty loon who sits around fantasizing about murder. To me knives aren't weapons at all. They're tools. I think it's the steady diet of violence that we get in movies and on TV that makes people associate knives with murder and mayhem. One time I gave a friend a knife, a little Victorinox Classic with one blade, a nail file, scissors, tweezers and a tooth-pick. He asks me, "Who am I gonna' kill with that ?" Well, no one. That's not what a pocket knife is for. It's sad really. People don't flag their memories to remind themselves which are from something they saw on TV and which are from "real" life, so that, eventually it's all in their brains as experience, even if it's fiction. It's the same with some of these open-carry whackos. They've seen all these violent movies and so it seems perfectly reasonable to them that, one day, they might have to open fire with an AR-15. It could happen right ? They've seen it hundreds of times.
I carry a pocket knife all the time. The one in my pocket right now is a little pen knife, a Schrade Old-Timer with one locking blade. I'm not a serious collector, but I've got a few different pocket knives and I change the one I'm carrying every now and then. There are many different types of pocket knives and each pattern has a name and a story. (Wikipedia) The knife at the top in this picture is called a Barlow. It's named for Joel Barlow, a cutler in Sheffield, England, who invented this simple pattern to be sold in "the colonies." The extra-long bolster was intended add strength to the design. The one below that might be familiar to some of you. It's a U.S. Navy issue TL-29 electricians knife. They were issued to Marines also. This one was made by Camillus in New York. These are pretty handy to have around, or they used to be, back before all the screws were Phillip's head. It has a locking mechanism but it's not the blade that locks, it's the screwdriver. Nothing worse than having the thing collapse on your hand while you're pushing it into a stubborn screw. Below that are three examples of a pattern called the Sodbuster. These are simple, sturdy, single-blade knives made for farmers. They have no bolsters and a large, brass "bird's eye" pin. The one with the black handle is a Case, American-made and fairly expensive. The one below that is made in Pakistan. I got it from a guy at the Swap Meet who had a box of 'em; $1.50 each. The quality of these knives varied widely, horrible quality control, but after trying out a dozen or so, I found a good one and was able to get a sturdy, serviceable knife for next to nothing. The smaller one at the bottom is Kissing Crane brand, made in China. Kissing Crane is a German company that has been outsourcing some of their manufacturing. I think the best knives are made in Germany.
I cook a lot too, which means ... more knives. The ones in this picture are some of my kitchen knives. The one on the right is my learning-to-cook knife. It's American-made, Chicago Cutlery. It used to have a pretty full blade, you can see what 20 or 25 years of daily use and frequent sharpenings have done to it. It's retired now. The other two are my favorites. They're the ones I use every day and they're about the only ones I use. I don't have a knife block with seven different kinds of kitchen knives. I don't use a chef's knife. I never learned the proper rocking technique that those knives are made for. All you Foodies would probably laugh to see my clumsy knife work. These are both German, from J.A. Henckels of Solingen, Germany. The larger one has a 6½" blade and does most everything. The blade is quite thin and I can slice a ripe tomato as thin as any mandolin with it. The little one is the best paring knife I've ever used. I love the shape of the blade and the way the handle keeps my knuckles off the chopping surface. I use it for garlic, chiles and other fine work.
Well that's all I got this morning. Do you like knives ? Hate knives ? Got a favorite kitchen knife or a trusty, well-worn pocket knife that you carry all the time ? Anything else on your mind today ? Talk to me ...
Latest Updates on Kossack Regional Meet-Up News Can Be Found Below the Orange Group Hug.
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Uniting Kansas: Recap of Meetup, Hutchinson (Video)
by tmservo433 ♥ for Kansas & Missouri Kossacks
tmservo433 organized a successful event featuring 3 candidates and a AFL-CIO endorsement.
Despite 100+ degree temperature, and a normal size crowd (about 50/60) the event in Hutchinson quickly went viral, with a few thousand watching the streams online, thanks to agressive sharing, emailing and people encouraging others to spread the live stream of the video.
Please visit
tmservo433's diary for the videos of this event. You can still REC it. You can join
Kansas & Missouri Kossacks by sending a Kosmail to
tmservo433.
Connecting Kansas:
Democrats Unite in Emporia
by tmservo433 ♥ for Kansas & Missouri Kossacks
So our latest hero, tmservo433 provides a great re-cap to the event we promoted here for him.
At the time Paul Davis spoke, I had an in room headcount of 166, which is a heck of a turnout. Sam Brownback couldn't bring in 200 in the Kansas City Metro when Rick Santorum came to town.
Kossacks showed up. Several Kossacks were in the hall, as well as individuals who noticed I still had on my Netroots gear, and were happy to come and tell us how they are working for change in our communities.
tmservo433 is doing great work seeking out Kossacks and moving his state's progressive agenda forward.
Please visit tmservo433's diary for more photos! Enjoy! You can still REC it. You can join Kansas & Missouri Kossacks by sending a Kosmail to tmservo433.
Los Angeles Kossacks June 28th Meetup Report
by susans ♥ for Los Angeles Kossacks
The Los Angeles Kossacks ranks have increased by 40% in the last few months. New members attended the latest recreational field trip to see the retired space shuttle Endeavour at the California Science Center in Exposition Park near downtown Los Angeles.
Back Row L-R: Vyan, Chiwere, susans, Otoelbc, mommyp00ka, Ducktape
Front Row L-R: Robin, 714day, Little Loner, Moody Loner, jakedog42 and grandaughter, SanFernandoValleyMom
Please visit susans's diary for details on the Space Shuttle. You can still REC it. You can join Los Angeles Kossacks by sending a Kosmail to susans.
Event Organizers! Please contact wink from Netrootsradio.com by KosMail to schedule airtime with them to live broadcast the date of your Event. Wink & Justice will then promote it on The After Show radio program!
Saturday, August 9th
Northern & Central Florida Kossacks Meet-up
with (D) DC Koller who is running for House Representative against Rich Nugent
TIME: 10:00 AM
LOCATION: Vetwife's Home
Kosmail Vetwife for address • Inverness
ORGANIZER: Send Vetwife a kosmail to attend.
RSVPs:
1. Vetwife
2. Vet
3. Gordon20024
4. nancyjones
5.
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Maybees: |
Latest diary: Fl Meetup update.. Short diary..lots of Info
Saturday, August 9th
LA Kossacks Meet-up with Meteor Blades and navajo
Regional Planning Session for Potential Southern California Groups
TIME: 2:00 PM
LOCATION: Guild Restaurant
611 W. 7th St • Downtown Los Angeles
ORGANIZER: Send susans a kosmail to attend.
RSVPs:
1. susans
2. Shockwave
3. navajo
4. Meteor Blades
5. Knucklehead
6. SanFernandoValleyMom
7. Otoelbc
8. Chiwere
9. Vyan
10. 714day
11. Ducktape
12. Mugwump Blues
13. Just Saying
14. Just Saying's friend
15. Panorama City Chick
16. jakedog42
17. Santa Susanna Kid
18. La Gitane
19. Susan from 29
20. gmats
21. Dave in Northridge
22. KatSkahnne
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Maybees:
Joe Bacon
Bruin Kid
Cany
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Latest diary: Los Angeles Kossacks June 28th Meetup Report
Sunday, August 10th
Lawrence, Kansas Kossacks Meet-up
TIME: 1:00 PM
LOCATION: Rudy's Pizza
704 Massachusetts St • Lawrence
ORGANIZER: Send tmservo433 a kosmail to attend.
RSVPs:
1. tmservo433
2.
3.
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Maybees: |
Latest diary: [Waiting for linked diary]
Saturday, August 16th
Nashville KosKats Meet-up
TIME: 2:00 PM
LOCATION: Shipwreck Cove at the Elm Hill Marina
3361 Bell Road • Nashville
ORGANIZER: Send ZenTrainer a kosmail to attend.
RSVPs:
1. ZenTrainer
2. Jon Sitzman
3. Sow Hat
4. oh4thelove
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Maybees:
Patrick is Lucky |
Latest diary: Nashville KosKats Meet-up. August 16th
Saturday, August 16th
DC Kossacks Meet-up
TIME: Noon
LOCATION: National Mall
at the Smithsonian Metro stop • Washington DC
ORGANIZER: Send NinthElegy a kosmail to attend.
RSVPs:
1. NinthElegy
2.
3.
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Maybees: |
Latest diary: [Waiting for linked diary]
Saturday, August 23rd
VA/DC/MD Kossacks Meet-up
TIME: 12:30 - 4:40 PM
LOCATION: Union Station
Food Court • Washington, DC
ORGANIZER: Send JamieG from Md a kosmail to attend.
RSVPs:
1. JamieG from Md
2. mollyd
3. Diana in NoVa
4. NinthElegy
5. mimi
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Maybees:
BDA in VA
dadadata
Uncle Cosmo
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Latest diary: VA/DC/MD Meetup, August 23rd!
Sunday, August 24th
NYC Kossacks Meet-up
TIME: Noon
LOCATION: Spitzer's Corner
101 Rivington Street (Ludlow) • NYC
ORGANIZER: Send kathny a kosmail to RSVP
RSVPs:
1. kathny
2. belinda ridgewood
3. rubyr
4. joanbrooker
5. mconvente
6. ericlewis0
7. No Exit
8. sidnora
9. gchaucer2
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Maybees:
BaritoneWoman
jfdunphy
David Nir
Lysis
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Latest diary: NYC Meetup Sunday August 24 at Spitzer's
Saturday, September 6th
Sacramento Kossacks Meet-up
Potluck with BYOB
TIME: 4:00 - 7:00 PM
LOCATION: Kestrel's home
Address given privately to RSVPs • Sacramento
ORGANIZER: Send cooper888 a kosmail to attend.
RSVPs:
1. tgypsy
2. cooper888
3. gotmooned
4. Kestrel
5. shigeru
6. TrevizOlga
7. paradise50
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Maybees:
navajo
Meteor Blades
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Latest diary: Sacramento (area) Kossacks Meetup With Featured Guest!
Join the Sacramento Kossacks Google Group to receive invites for future events.
Saturday, September 6th
Kansas Missouri Kossacks Picnic - Local Candidate Speaks
Meet at the Hays city park to enjoy a free hamburger/hotdog/watermelon feed. Jim Sherow along with other local candidates will be speaking.
TIME: NOON
LOCATION: Municipal Park
1st and Main • Hays, Kansas
ORGANIZER: Send tmservo433 a kosmail to attend.
RSVPs:
1. tmservo433
2. Skohays
3.
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Maybees: |
Latest diary: Major Kansas Events: Your Chance to Change a State
Saturday, September 13th
Pikes Peak Region Kossacks Inaugural Meet-up!
TIME: 6:30 PM
LOCATION: Panera Bread
7344 North Academy Boulevard (general address) or 7351 Atlas Walk Way (mall address) • Colorado Springs
ORGANIZER: Send thanatokephaloides a kosmail to attend.
RSVPs:
1. thanatokephaloides
2. tmservo433 (visiting from Kansas)
3.
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Maybees: |
Latest diary: Our First Meeting: An Announcement
Sunday, October 19th
NYC Kossacks Meet-up with navajo
TIME: Noon
LOCATION: Spitzer's Corner
101 Rivington Street (Ludlow) • NYC
ORGANIZER: Send kathny a kosmail to RSVP
RSVPs:
1. navajo
2.
3.
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Maybees: |
navajo maintains the above event list. Kosmail her if you have any diaries
about your event or if you have changes or additions.
EVERYONE is welcome, tell us what you're working on,
share your show and tell, vent, whatever you want.
This is an open thread. Nothing is off topic.